31st ANNUAL CULTURAL FESTIVAL. Every summer Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park hosts the free Annual Cultural Festival to perpetuate Hawaiian culture and promote appreciation of traditional values. Throughout the day, the sweet sounds of Hawaiian music fill the air and hula dancers, bedecked in flower lei and colorful costumes, bring meaning to the songs through the movement of their eyes, hands, and hips. Cultural practitioners lead demonstrations and provide hands-on learning opportunities for a wide variety of Hawaiian crafts, games, and foods. This year the festival will be at the park's Kahuku Unit in the Ka‘u District (between mile markers 70 & 71 on Highway 11). Park admission is free for the entire day at both the main and Kahuku entrances. Co-sponsored by Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, Hawai‘i Natural History Association, Kilauea Military Camp, and Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. For more info, call (808) 985-6011 or visit www.nps.gov/havo.

Sunday, July 10, 2011 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

SUNDAY WALK IN THE PARK. This monthly program on second Sundays is aimed at bringing together the members of the Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park to share in the park's beautiful trails. Led by Rob and Susan McGovern, this month’s two-hour, three-mile round-trip hike will be to Pu‘u Huluhulu. The trail crosses 1973 and 1974 lava flows, through kipuka, past lava trees, and climbs 150 feet to the summit of Pu‘u Huluhulu. On a clear day, you can see Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea, Pu‘u ‘O‘o, and the Pacific Ocean. This will be a moderate, fairly flat hike over pahoehoe lava at 3,200’ elevation. Meet at the Mauna Ulu parking lot on Chain of Craters Road. The walk is free to Friends members (though non-members are welcome to join the non-profit Friends group in order to attend). To register, contact Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park at (808) 985-7373 or programs@fhvnp.org. For more info, visit www.fhvnp.org.

Saturday, July 16, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

VOLUNTEER FOREST RESTORATION PROJECT. This month we will work at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. We will remove invasive weeds in a fenced enclosure where a wide variety of native seedlings have been planted over the past five years. We will learn about the park's native forest restoration program at Kahuku and be able to see the start of natural recovery of the forest. Volunteers should be at least 12 years old, and be able to hike at least one mile over rough, uneven terrain covered by thick pasture grasses in an area with a moderate slope. Since we will be a half-hour drive in from the parking area, all volunteers will need to stay until the project is completed at 3:00 p.m. Our goal is a crew of 16 people, and pre-registration is required. To register, contact Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park at (808) 985-7373 or forest@fhvnp.org. For more info, visit www.fhvnp.org.